Proof that One Person Can Make a Difference

Category: corruption

Last week Commissioner Doug Underhill was cleared in his ethics complaint by the Florida Ethics Commission. They did not find anything unethical in a representative of a county, a public servant, asking for hand outs from his constituency for a defamation suit, resulting from talking smack about a political opponent. In the most bizarre stretch of the tenants of ethics, there is nothing, even remotely, of which resonates this as an ethical decision. The taxpayers did not make the comments for which the Commissioner was sued over, nor would any greater good benefit anyone but the mouthy Commissioner.

So I did some research into who is making the decisions of ethics in the state of Florida. What I found explains everything.

Before going into the composition of the commission, here is what their statement of purpose is:

The Commission is created by Sections 112.320 and 112.321, Florida Statutes, and is
governed by Article II, Section 8(f) and (h), Florida Constitution, which authorizes it to investigate complaints alleging breach of the public trust by public officers and employees.

They also have the authority to:

Investigate complaints alleging possible violations of the Code of Ethics for Public Officers and Employees , to accept referrals from the Governor, State Attorneys, U.S. Attorneys, or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement ,

Render opinions about the applicability of the Code of Ethics to investigate and render opinions about possible violations of the standards of conduct for members of the Public Service Commission and the Public Service Commission Nominating Council to investigate and render opinions about possible unlawful use of public funds to lobby ,

Grant a hearing on the petition of a public officer or employee who has been accused of a possible violation of the Code of Ethics to investigate complaints from the Comptroller of possible misuse of State vehicles to register executive branch lobbyists, receive their compensation reports,

Investigate and render opinions concerning possible violations of the lobbyist law, and review and waive in whole or part late filing penalties for executive branch lobbyists to promulgate and disseminate forms for complying with the financial disclosure laws and other provisions of the Code of Ethics to grant extensions of time for filing disclosures to receive and file financial disclosure, gift disclosure, and honorarium event-related expenses disclosure forms to review and waive in whole or part late filing penalties for persons filing financial disclosures,

Garnish wages or initiate wage withholding for persons who fail to pay their financial disclosure fine and to investigate officials who fail to file entirely,

Impose costs and attorney’s fees on complainants who filed complaints with a malicious intent to injure the public official’s reputation ,

Serve as a clearinghouse for possible forfeiture of retirement benefits by public officers and employees who have committed felonies involving a breach of the public trust ,

Seek to void contracts violative of the Code of Ethics, to adopt procedural rules and rules interpreting the ethics laws , and to recommend that the Governor enforce the ethics laws in court .

This is what the Florida Ethics Commission has the power to do.

The people who have this expansive power are a collective group composed in accordance with the Florida Statutes. The intent of how the commission is filled is supposed to negate any alliance or political manipulations. If this collection of people are not politically connected to anyone, they stay objective–in theory.

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The above graphic shows the 8 people on the Ethics Commission. My question was if any of these fine people had a political dog in this decision with Mr. Underhill.

Those two names, Levin & Gaetz tell you all you need to know about this commission. Five members of the panel are at the dispose of political sway of Levin. One has Levin & Gaetz. Dr. Brady has a special interest in keeping Escambia County happy because of PACE Center for Girls. Morgan has funded that to the hilt with the LET money. Who wouldn’t be swayed by that?

In just this bit of research, 6 of the 8 Florida Ethics Commission members show that, unless either Morgan or Underhill is screwing a goat in town square, they will turn a blind eye. Their political careers depend on it.

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Thursday’s vote by the BOCC to require 50% of LET Funds to be used for school security had only one dissent, Captain Contrary, aka Doug “Underling” Underhill. Quelle surprise!

Dougie likes to say he is for “a new way of thinking” in Escambia County, but actions pack a stronger punch. His actions are in support of GOB. He voted the crony line without a legitimate or reasonable rationale. How is protecting our kids not in the best interest of the county? Captain Contrary believes we should not protect kids but instead, help the public image of the ECSO. WTF?

There is no legitimacy to the open cronyism shown in this vote. Those of us who pay attention see the pattern. If Bergosh votes for it, Underhill will vote against it. It doesn’t even matter what the issue is, Underhill has to back his political Godfather, Sir David. It is blatantly obvious the county’s best interest is lost to the Morgan-Underhill alliance.

I will acknowledge that I have no love for Morgan and Underhill, but it is clear that over the past 5+ years, my message has been consistent–there is soul-sucking corruption in Escambia County and it begins at the ECSO & Sir David.

I have been labeled a “lunatic”,”lone nut” and even a “political terrorist” by the Good Ole Boys (Underhill & Morgan). However, over the past few years, we’ve seen Morgan waste countless dollars putting his face on everything from billboards to movie screens. This money did not deter crime nor did it even improve the safety of neighborhoods. Morgan’s use of county funds has been invariably self-serving. The community sees this.

I have been told this violation of the public’s trust is NOT, per se, corruption, but I have to disagree. The political capital Morgan reaps is a real thing. Frequently, I have been contacted by people about Morgan coming into social functions, unannounced, with LET checks. After he makes an entrance, he turns over a check in exchange for envelopes of campaign contributions openly, in front of a room full of people. Campaign contributions for LET funds. That, my friends, IS corruption. If Underhill does not see the problem with Morgan’s fiscal buffoonery, then he needs an ethics lesson.

Above all, the consensus is that Underhill somehow profits from the back room politics too. Morgan became a millionaire on the public’s payroll. I suspect Underhill, a contractor/developer and his property appraiser bulldog of a wife, are manipulating things involving the valuation of real estate perhaps. The real puzzle is the facilitation of the Honorable Sheriff to sell his Crow Rd. properties to PCEnvy Technologies, a tech company owned by Underhill’s buddy, Steve Stillwell. What does a tech company do with slumlord properties??

But Captain Contrary will insist there is nothing there to see. Willie Junior said that too, about a pot of collard greens.

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In this day and age, it is pitiful that acting with civility and common sense is absent by politicians on social media. Those of us raised in the South had a mother with a shoe, paddle, switch or a backhand that prevented us from saying disrespectful things in public. The word “stupid” should never be uttered by an official to his constituency. It seems obvious why. People see that and the need to go to that level is a general lack of intelligence that glares through. More importantly, social media is a public forum. It is like having a bullhorn in your neighborhood. People who aren’t even involved become drawn into the public spectacle.

But even as I say this, there is one Escambia politico (GOB) who is probably uttering the barrages of hate-speak as I write this. I screenshot every time I see him denigrate people. My photo library is getting maxed out so I figured it was a good time to post the different things I have found.

I found a PNJ opinion piece that I thought was fascinating. I searched for the post it references.

Below are 19 different screenshots of occasions where Underhill was flat out rude, a flat out bully or spewing with righteous indignation towards HIS CONSTITUENCY.

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In what world is it ok that a professional representative have such contempt for people on a broad scale? Now please do not think this is a complete list. This is just what I pulled off my phone. I didn’t search for anything. I am sure there are more examples.

Hopefully the county commission is appalled by this malignant cancer who feigns concern for people he obviously doesn’t think that much of at all.

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There were 2 articles in the news today that caught my attention. The first was :

Governor Rick Scott calls for FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign

Highlights from this article:

“The FBI’s failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable,” Scott, a Republican loyal to Donald Trump, said in a statement. “The FBI has admitted that they were contacted last month by a person who called to inform them of Cruz’s ‘desire to kill people,’ and ‘the potential of him conducting a school shooting.’

“Seventeen innocent people are dead and acknowledging a mistake isn’t going to cut it. An apology will never bring these 17 Floridians back to life or comfort the families who are in pain. The families will spend a lifetime wondering how this could happen, and an apology will never give them the answers they desperately need.

“We constantly promote ‘see something, say something,’ and a courageous person did just that to the FBI. And the FBI failed to act. ‘See something, say something’ is an incredibly important tool and people must have confidence in the follow through from law enforcement. The FBI Director needs to resign.”

The second was an opinion piece in today’s Mullet Wrapper:

Editorial: Are local leaders driven by ethics and intentionality?

This is the beginning of the article:

Speaking in Pensacola last week, former Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy offered a specific recipe for civic reform that delivered cultural and economic rebirth to his city. According to Murphy, there were two prerequisites for Pittsburgh’s rise from a dying steel town to a center of economic and cultural growth — “ethics” and “intentionality.”

Murphy made it clear that ethics and transparency were mandatory starting points in the many deals that were made on behalf of the public sector. Without that ethical foundation, any potential plans or partnerships were poisoned from the start.

As we look to creating a stronger city in which to live, invest, grow and prosper, we must ask that hard question of our own public leadership in Pensacola, Escambia and Santa Rosa County: Do you believe we have either?

Where to start?

Let’s just use Rick Scott’s reasoning. He says:

“The FBI’s failure to take action against this killer is unacceptable……We constantly promote ‘see something, say something,’ and a courageous person did just that to the FBI. And the FBI failed to act.‘See something, say something’ is an incredibly important tool and people must have confidence in the follow through from law enforcement. The FBI Director needs to resign.”

On June 2, 2017, Kevin Robinson of the PNJ wrote: “The sheriff confirmed that Naomi’s mother had been arrested on an outstanding warrant after she called in about her missing daughter.” What isn’t said is that the mother was arrested in lieu of the sheriff actually starting the search for Naomi for another 24 hours. In that time, Naomi was murdered before the ECSO ever started the search.

Based on lack of action taken after law enforcement had the ability to prevent a child dying and didn’t, Morgan should be asked to resign. The parallel fits and Naomi’s mom knows this.

But before this inaction that endangered a child in the community, let’s go back to another case right before this. On Feb. 3, 2017, Billy Boyette killed Peggy Broz in Lillian, Alabama. Mrs. Broz’s car was found along Nine Mile Road in Lillian, AL. Kayla Crocker was killed on Feb. 5th, after traffic cameras caught Boyette and Rice coming out of the woods, DIRECTLY ADJACENT to where Mr. Broz’s car was found. Search and Rescue people deployed to look for Boyette called me to tell me they were upset because they urged Sheriff Morgan to bring in bloodhounds offered by local K9 agencies to thoroughly comb those woods, but Morgan declined the offer, saying the interstate being right there, it would be a waste of time. He felt sure Boyette fled the area. This bit of discernment by the Honorable Sheriff ended up costing Kayla Crocker her life the following day.

These are only 2 instances just in the first 6 months of 2017 that are documented, where was Rick Scott and why didn’t he ask for this man’s resignation?

The second article offered up the question: “And do you believe that our local elected officials surround themselves with the sort of talent that Murphy hired — smart, experienced, ethics-driven people who are capable of brokering good and fair deals on behalf of taxpayers?”

I think Ashton Hayward and David Morgan have both shown their egos and self-interest are their priorities. In December, Hayward fell under fire for appearing in an AirBnB commercial leaving his opponents to point out that AirBnB has been lobbying to prevent regulations on rental properties. This is conflicting an earlier statement Hayward made on camera saying mayors should be in charge of regulating rental properties in their area which is contrary to plight of AirBnB. Intention and ethics are absent in this decision by the fine Mayor.

Morgan’s recent blitzkrieg on the county commission. Using taxpayer money to buy billboards, commercials, and air time for his videos, Morgan opened fired regarding the county budget, particularly giving deputies raises. Everywhere you turned even in movie theaters was Morgan’s face calling citizens to contact their commissioner to tell them to support his agenda. While this is intentional, ethical it is not and it is more self serving than in the best interest of the taxpayers. Morgan has forced good cops out creating a vacuum in the department. Morgan’s solution was to promote more people to admin positions and bloat the budget, causing more deputies to leave He then created internal policies to counter any measure made by the commission. The BOCC offered him a lesser amount to be earmarked for deputies, but within the agency, Morgan has implemented caps on certain officers, thereby denying them the money that the BOCC allotted for them. Intentional, yes. Ethical, no.

So to recap.

Rick Scott called for the resignation of the FBI director for failure to act which allowed for a tragic loss of life. If that is the standard, Scott should ask for Morgan’s resignation. His failure to be a cop cost at least 2 citizens their lives, one being a child, the other being a mother.

Is Escambia County built on a foundation of ethics and intentionality? Hell is it even trying to act with intentionality in accordance to ethical standards? What do you think?

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I posted about Henrique Dias being absent from his post as the CFO of ECSO. It has now been 3 weeks and Dias has not been mentioned. It is implied he will not return. Dias has been at this agency for 20 years. He’s 54 years old. He has 2 kids in college. Three weeks have passed without anyone actually checking to see why this long time employee just stopped coming to work. He’s not been reported missing. Admin at the ECSO will not allow people to ask questions; no one has explained why this top echelon employee isn’t there.

Am I really the only one who thinks that his absence, at this point in time, as well as Morgan’s absence for the better part of this time, is really fishy? The county budget for the ECSO was referred to the Governor; it is tax time in an agency with need of fiduciary guidance, yet no one is really concerned about the future of this agency or what it would mean if financial matters came to a halt for the employees?

Can someone who has worked beside people for years be so unimportant as to not draw attention when they inexplicably don’t show up for a prolonged period of time? Would you notice if your long term colleague stopped showing up? Would you call his wife to make sure he’s ok? Would you ask his neighbors if they had seen him? Would you expect your boss (who happens to run an agency that has a duty to locate people in the community) to silence people who ask questions or spread DISINFORMATION about their employee?

That is precisely what has happened here. Why the games? Why the apathy? If this agency can’t be truthful with its own ABOUT its own, can it be trusted to care about the nameless people it is suppose to protect?

Every life matters and this is a perfect example of what this agency thinks of the people in its trust. If there ever was a case where actions are louder than words, this is it.

If you stopped coming to work one day, wouldn’t you wish someone would feel a duty to find out why??

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After several days and many, many corroborating sources, Henrique Dias, CFO of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is missing. These are the facts that have been given to me:

Dias has not shown up for work for 2 weeks. As a CFO of a county agency, that is highly unusual for a professional who makes one of the highest salaries in the agency and who has great deal of responsibility leveled upon him.

Prior to not showing up last Monday for work, Henrique had made one of a series of trips to Tallahassee for “non-sheriff’s office business”.

A new federal grand jury was convened this week in Tallahassee.

The ECSO staff suggests that Henrique will not return to work, despite pending issues only he has the skill set to handle.

Morgan has been MIA for a great deal of the same time. Supposedly at Florida Sheriff’s Association training (a bit late for that) in Tallahassee. However, the conference for the Florida Sheriff’s Association is being held at Amelia Island for February 4-7, not Tallahassee.

I will let you draw your own conclusions. But my theory of this info is that since Henrique is not on leave, has not been reported missing by his family, is that he is being held or questioned in the illegal money handling that has been long speculated at the ECSO. This has been corroborated by one source, but no OFFICIAL word has been made.

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I put my letter separate simply because I think it sums up the circumstances not just Ron’s character. It is a critique of the system.

Regarding: State of Florida v. Ron Clark Ball

Dear Judge Thomas Dannheisser:

My name is Jimmie Lee Staley. I am an investigative blogger from Pensacola, Fla. I am an advocate for people who do not have the ability to help themselves in cases in and around Escambia County. My expertise is investigating cases that are miscarriages of justice. This case is one of those cases.

I have become very acquainted with Ball Family and this case. I have thousands of pages of documents that I have reviewed and have been on the sideline during the unfolding of this case. Despite the fact, that this case was grossly mishandled and should be easily reversed on appeal, I ask that Your Honor to consider supervised probation as a sentence in this case. It is within Your Honor’s discretion and would be appropriate, in the interest of justice. This man has served 2 years+ to date and was plagued with ineffective counsel, which is proved in the lack of case he presented on behalf of his client. That fact is undeniable. I request that Your Honor think about the totality of how this case was handled. Rolling charges, questionable evidence, ineffective counsel, perjured testimony are all things that should be considered in this case (all these things are well documented). The only justice left to be had in this case would be that the Defendant, Mr. Ball be freely allowed to participate in his own defense from a place outside a jail cell. This would be the only sentence that would appropriate considering any other sentence would be perceived to be a further due process violation with the other criminal case looming.

I make this request on behalf of a Navy fighter pilot that comes from a legacy of a strong family. Both of his parents worked for the CIA in various capacities. His father is a local hero. His mother is a sweet lady that is the ultimate victim in this. She should be considered as she is 94 years old. The stress of this case can only be seen as detrimental to her health.

Mrs. Kessler, the victim, has her conviction and can now write off her loss with the IRS. That is paramount to restitution in full plus the 2 years of a man’s life should count for something.

Thank you, Your Honor, for taking these thoughts into consideration as you deliberate on the appropriate sentence. I stand ready to offer further support to Mr. Ball as he may require.

Respectfully,

Jimmie Staley

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On Facebook, Sir David posted another “Ask the Sheriff” video. The question of the day was (from January 16, 2018) concerning carrying firearms in a vehicle. Sheriff Moron answered the question with surprising accuracy and quoted the law verbatim……..NOT! His answer was pathetic and grossly inaccurate. A law-abiding citizen would be confused if they had a firearm, that conformed with state statute, in the vehicle. The misinformation spewed by this imposter is irresponsible and careless. His statement should have been better prepared (a law enforcement officer would have known the correct answer) and he should have verified the information before misleading the people who viewed the post.As an American the right to be armed is one of our most basic rights. Law enforcement officers should never get that wrong. The rights that separate our country from totalitarian governments should be cherished and valued. As an elected official governing a law enforcement agency, Thelbert should avoid his desire to feed his narcissistic ego and make sure his comments are accurate. There are citizens thatwill believe he is competent simply because of his position. It is time that he starts understanding there is more required to be a cop than buying medals for a uniform and playing dress up with your imposter buddies. Law enforcement is an actual career that requires educating yourself on laws and providing accurate information to the public. It is alarming that in 9 years he has retained so little useful knowledge as a law enforcement official.

Now, consider the new officers that may have viewed this sitcom posted by the ECSO. It is entirely possible a situation, as described, could present itself to them and an innocent person could be falsely arrested. Where would the ECSO be on that issue? Likely, the officer would be sacrificed to spare the (less than) Honorable Sir David the embarrassment of providing failing leadership.The facts are simple. This creature occupying the office of the sheriff is running out of time. His advice to lock doors at the cost of more than $130,000 to the county, inability to provide leadership to the officers, and poor execution of playing cops and robbers has infected enough of our community. It is well past the time for this fraud to be held accountable. When this occurs, we will all witness the true person that David Morgan is and has always been. He is a bully that only attacks from the shadows and seeks others to do his bidding. He is a coward at heart. His lack of courage displayed for all to witness by reducing himself to only delivering messages from the safety of his office in front of a camera. It would seem he could at least be accurate if he insists on hiding from being held accountable.

Lastly, it seems almost comical to hear him boast about being a life member of NRA but has no idea of how to accurately explain the laws concerning firearms in the state he was elected to sheriff.

This one video of Morgan’s has unhinged the jaws of the lions. The fact he doesn’t know the law he is charged with enforcing, is problematic for anyone to overcome. How many other instances have there been where Morgan’s ignorance to the letter and/or spirit of the law, affected the bigger picture? His ‘yes’ men, his minions, will not correct him, for fear of the consequences. This is truly like the inmates are running the asylum. The criminals are running the agency that is supposed to enforce the law.

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I personally do not know if what he is saying is correct but the viewers on FB seem to know.

Charlie SwartzFSS790.25(5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE.—Notwithstanding subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purpose within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing herein contained prohibits the carrying of a legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on the person. This subsection shall be liberally construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self-defense as provided in s. 776.012.

790.001(16) “Readily accessible for immediate use” means that a firearm or other weapon is carried on the person or within such close proximity and in such a manner that it can be retrieved and used as easily and quickly as if carried on the person.
(17) “Securely encased” means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.

Jed CarrollUmmm….sheriff Morgan, you are completely wrong. You can carry a loaded or unloaded rifle anywhere you want in a vehicle and a pistol can be carried loaded or unloaded anywhere in a vehicle as long as it is securely encased. You cannot just make up laws. That is up to the legislature and governor. If you want to try to tempt fate go ahead and violate Florida’s pre-emption laws. I love Florida’s Sheriffs but this is not at all right.

Jack RackemSheriff Morgan, there is an attorney named Jon Gutmacher that literally writes the book of Florida Gun Laws. You might want to pick up the latest copy and educate yourself and your department on the facts. We the people that are law abiding citizens would be grateful. Thanks for doing these PSA’s to help
inform the people and answer their questions.

Alan RiveraSeriously? Please reread the laws on it and make a new video… NOTHING in Florida Statute says anything about it being loaded or unloaded…

James SchulzI fully expect a retraction and apology from Mr. Sheriff for putting out false information to the public.

David PentonI expect a full apology and policy change by the sheriff for falsely stating law. Innocent law abiding citizens get target by LEOs because of poor training.

Steve MerretteYou need to do a retraction video to correct the wrong information you gave out.

Eric GrenierThe sheriff doesn’t know the law. He is wrong on several counts. Ridiculous that he would give out wrong info to the public and his deputies.

Kevin MajorsDid tax dollars just get used to dispense information contrary to State law?

Aaron MorrisYou sir are a idiot .. I truly hope you resign and get into something your mental capacity can handle.. like coloring.. so dangerous to provide such wrong information to people who wrongly look to law enforcement for legal advise… you could cost people their lives with your nonsense.. please I beg you to resign out of embarrassment 🤢🤮😡😢🙄

Steven AndresenToo much bad information.
Never take legal advice from an officer. Seek professional legal advice from a lawyer who understands the letter of the law.

David DixonCompletely wrong research the law. I carry a loaded hand gun in my center console in a holster and it is compliant with the law

Michelle Knowles DixonWow Sheriff your wrong advice is definitely stirring up a lot of law reading. Too bad you didn’t read the statutes before opening your mouth. Now you look and sound like an idiot and need to do a retraction. God forbid you think like this on other laws. Ever think of retirement?

Alyssa DraculestiIf I could report this to face book as an immediate danger to others I would – for anyone under your supervision in your county is putting your entire population at risk for violating their rights. Also, you sir Mr Morgan are in violation of FL Preemption law if you are teaching your nonsense to the officers under you.

This is just the first page of comments. Clearly the citizens believe he should know the law. The better question is why doesn’t he?

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I started a post on the crazy shit Morgan said publicly in 2017 but it has become such a list that it is almost impossible to get it all out. Even in the face of disgrace, Morgan still tries to “get over”. The AG decided to withhold her opinion on Morgan’s slush fund until after the Governor’s decision. What does that mean? Well, it means its complicated. It means Morgan is not blameless. It means the AG doesn’t want the perception that her opinion will affect the Governor’s ruling. Either way, no one came out to say Morgan was in the clear. If that was the case, there would be no withholding that fact because it would be moot in relation to the Governor’s ruling.

Am I surprised that Bondi didn’t grow a set and do the right thing? Absolutely not. She has given Morgan a pass for so long that it is shameful. Every crime he commits is under their (AG & Governor Scott) auspices. They are facilitating every wrong done by Morgan. Dante Aligheri said it best, ” The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who remain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”

While I get that it may be politically wise to withhold this decision, but the last year or more of Bondi being aware of Morgan’s antics and NOT taking action prior to being asked by the County Commission is the neutrality that reserves her place in hell. The longer a crime continues the more brazen the criminal gets. We see the dismantling of the county in the crime. Dreamland is a good example. Juvenile crime is representative of the criminality in the community. While crimes are most likely committed by younger populations, the younger the population and the more violent the crime (vs property crimes) is symptomatic of a growing violent crime base over all within that community.

Dreamland had kids with guns at New Years lock-in. That is a new low for the citizens of Escambia County. This shows the escalating severity of the crime in the area. That is the legacy of Morgan.